Open Letter to Green Party Councillors and Candidates

Dear Natalie Bennett & Cllr John Coyne,

Firstly, welcome to Liverpool

The venue you have chosen for your Spring Conference 2015 is a world class facility in a world famous city. As Labour Mayor of Liverpool, I am pleased you appreciate the investment we have made in our city, will experience the unrivalled hospitality of our people and will enjoy the business friendly attitude of our city. We are also a sustainable city and I’m sure our success in tackling carbon issues, supporting our residents with quality services and the growth of our economy were all factors in your decision to come to Liverpool this week

As we approach the 2015 General Election and important local elections here in Liverpool, we are all looking forward to the various debates and discussions that will help inform voters’ decisions. During your conference you will no doubt raise these issues

Like many Liverpool residents, I watched and listened to recent interviews with Green Party leader, Natalie Bennett on BBCTV, Radio 4 and LBC

Frankly, I was left surprised and a little confused about the policies of the Green Party as we head into May’s elections

To clear up any misunderstandings amongst Liverpool city residents, I thought it would be helpful for you to put on record your position on the range of policies Ms. Bennett raised on national TV and radio and proposes for your manifesto. I have listed the most eye-catching of your policies and, helpfully, added the reference to the relevant section of your policy document – Policies For A Sustainable Society

1. Legal protection for the right to join or support terrorist groups

Policies for A Sustainable Society PD433 “It should not be a crime simply to belong to an organisation or have sympathy with its aims, though it should be a crime to aid and abet criminal acts or deliberately fund such acts.”

2. StopFunding Faith-Schools

Policies for a Sustainable Society ED176 “No publicly-funded school shall be run by a religious organisation. Schools may teach about religions, comparing examples which originated in each continent, but are prohibited from delivering religious instruction in any form or encouraging adherence to any particular religious belief.

3. Ending school places for 5 year olds

Policies for Sustainable Society ED023 “We will move towards a system in which early years education extends until the age of 6. This will mean that academic learning is not introduced until the age of 6.”

4. Propose a “zero-growth” economy

Policies for Sustainable Society EC201 “Allow the current dependence on economic growth to cease, and allow zero or negative growth to be feasible without individual hardship should this be necessary on the grounds of sustainability.”

5. Dismantle UK borders and ditch immigration controls

Policies for Sustainable Society MG300 “We will work to achieve greater equity between the UK and non-Western countries. In step with this, we will progressively reduce UK immigration controls.”

Enjoy your time in Liverpool and I look forward to you sharing your policy positions with me and the people of this great city